During landing the space shuttle was under control of Commander Steve Frick and Pilot Alan Poindexter.

Atlantis flew 5.3 million miles during its mission to install the European-built Columbus laboratory at the International Space Station. The mission lasted 12 days, 18 hours, 21 minutes and 55 seconds. Main gear touchdown occured on time at 9:07:20 a.m. EST. Wheels stop occured at 9:08:08 EST.

"Houston, Atlantis, wheels stopped," Frick radioed as the shuttle rolled to a halt. "We appreciate all the great help and support from the folks here at Kennedy and all over NASA, and especially at Johnson Space Center mission control, for keeping us safe when we were airborne and bringing us safely home," he said

Atlantis brought home NASA astronaut Daniel Tani, who returned to Earth aboard after almost four months on the station. He was replaced by ESA astronaut Leopold Eyharts.

NASA wanted Atlantis back as soon as possible to clear the way for the Navy to shoot down a dying spy satellite on the verge of smashing into Earth with a load of toxic fuel. The missile could be launched as early as Wednesday night, from a warship in the Pacific.

Atlantis circled Earth 202 times during its mission, which began on February 7. During their stay at ISS, mission specialists Rex Walheim, Hans Schlegel and Stanley Love conducted a total of three spacewalks to install and prepare the Columbus module and replace the nitrogen tank.

STS-122 is the 121st shuttle mission and the 24th mission to visit the space station. The next mission, STS-123, is slated to launch in March.

After medical exams and reunions with friends and family members, all seven astronauts were expected to fly back to the Johnson Space Center in Houston on Thursday.